Mission: “Leadership in building and sustaining a healthy and vibrant community”


The Regent Park Neighbourhood Initiative (RPNI, previously known as the Regent Park Resident Council), was established to advocate and protect the interests and assets of residents, and to work in partnership through its committees and other means to identify, assess, address and evaluate issues brought forward by the community.  RPNI strives to reduce poverty and increase the quality of life for all residents residing within its catchment area using a harm reduction and community development approach, and integrates cultural competency practices into its ongoing activities. RPNI intends to provide residents with an organization to lead, engage and guide the evolution of its revitalization, and is actively moving forward with its plans.


Why a new organization?

The redevelopment of the Regent Park area by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) will have a dramatic impact on this community. In anticipation of these changes, members of RPNI recognize the need for a community organization that will more broadly represent the needs of the new, transforming community. More diversity of housing stock, economic activities, social and overall community needs is anticipated.

Further, a Tenant Participation System was created by TCHC in 2003 to formalize representation between TCHC tenants across the city and the corporation. Although initial thinking was that the Regent Park tenant representatives and RPNI would merge into a single organization, in fact it would appear to make more sense to create a new broader structure for the evolving neighbourhood, while the tenant representatives assume the responsibility for communication and issue resolution with TCHC on day-to-day operating issues such as maintenance and security.  RPNI would then have the capacity to incorporate representatives of new homeowners and tenants, and businesses as the neighbourhood is diversified through the redevelopment.

RPNI has always maintained a close relationship with the various social service agencies and institutions operating in Regent Park. These organizations will also be changed by, and have a direct interest in, the redevelopment. For this reason the new organization includes membership drawn from this sector.


What Does RPNI Do and How Do We Work?

We work for the REGENT PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD. RPNI is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, and there are seven committees of the Board. Members include residents, local service provider organizations, and will include other neighbours in the future as the community begins to change. RPNI is responsible for maintaining relationships with TCHC and its redevelopment corporation, the City of Toronto, and other organizations participating in the redevelopment, including all social service agencies located in Regent Park. RPNI also participates in regular project team meetings held by TCHC that are related to the redevelopment to make sure the voices of residents are heard and included. Part of this work includes negotiating partner relationships with organizations wishing to support the community and its redevelopment and engaging the membership through regular communications and a variety of local events. Of course, all of these things cost money, and RPNI must solicit and manage funding to support these activities.


More about RPNI....